Dump out your suitcase!
Trying to carry everything you might need for the next couple years? 6 Mountain Dews a day for 2 years equals...
Let's look at this.
St Kitts is not a Desert Island.
First. St Kitts is a Tourist Destination. That means Souvenirs. That means T-shirts! That means Ball caps! Really cheap tees and caps.That means Shorts, Swimwear, and Cover ups. That means Casual tops. That means Sunscreen, Suntan oil, After Sun products, and Sunglasses! You will want some St Kitts stuff. Trust me!
Second. All people have skin - and teeth and hair and nails. So there are personal care and beauty products in abundance, Many brands have proved to work under tropical demands. Excess lotions are available really cheap at all seventh (or last) semester sales.
Third. You are a Student. How many Alumni shirts do you own? Do you want to buy a shirt branded with your new University name? There will be way too many opportunities to buy from your school, club fundraisers, and at your favorite bars and events. Many tees cost $5-10 bucks. Some schools give you a backpack, a water bottle, and a umbrella during orientation.
Fourth. For the Ladies! Kittian and tourist women dress up! There are plenty of places for dresses and shoes and undergarments and accessories! Duty-free designer purses at Port Zante. Again, Skin, Hair, and Beauty products abound.
Fifth. St Kitts has been hosting students and tourists for some years now and the stores are stocking items that Americans, Canadians, and Brits want and need. There are Indian and Asian foods available.There is a Coca Cola plant there. There are a few places that sell computers and computer accessories. (see link to Peter,KN)
Sixth. Somebody is always leaving. Every 4 months students complete their studies and leave the island. Many have goods for sale. The sales start about the third week of each semester and are every couple weeks until the last week of the semester. School supplies, Texts, Surfboards, Snorkels, Masks, and Fins, Cookware, Clothing, Health and Beauty supplies, and Hurricane supplies are usually available for very cheap.
Seventh. You are likely to go off island and be able to restock during your time in school. Just bring it back.
Eighth. Lose the printer. Skip the DVDs. Everything is down loaded onto flash drives. Print as needed at school.
Now back to your suitcase,
Put in:
The 3 most special Tees - The ones that identify you.
3 tank tops (if you wear them)
Flip flops
Sandals (2 pair)
Trainers
Socks (2 pair)
Swimwear (2)
Sunglasses
Raincoat with hood
Hoody - lightweight (if you wear them)
Exercise shorts
Something dressy with accessories.
(The following should not go in your carry-on bag)
Toiletries and makeup.
Insecticide
Sunscreen
Flashlight
Extra Batteries
Tools
A GOOD Kitchen Knife
Forget the 183 cases of Mountain Dew!
Now isn't that better?
B.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Hurricanes
Hurricane Earl is romping past St Kitts right now.
Who knows how bad it will be?
And that's the thing about Hurricanes.
You never know...
So you've gotta Boy Scout up and "Be Prepared!"
St Kitts has been blessed since the 90s by not getting hit directly by a hurricane. For the past few years, hurricane after hurricane went north or south of the island. Hurricane Omar in October 2008 was the closest at about 150 miles away. Omar caused little wind damage but the storm surge rearranged the west coast of the island destroying some houses. Our apartment didn't even lose power. Lucky Island!
I added the link to the National Hurricane Center. (see 'Links')
Your schools have developed good instructions on "Hurricane Preparedness." Check them out and make your plan.
Shop for staples and supplies early because the stores run out.
Buy some matches for lighting your gas stove.
Ice your cooler or freezer.
Stock up on fresh water.
Charge your cell phone and laptop.
The Marriott is not a hurricane shelter. Sorry. Its closed today because of the storm.
I posted the link to the NEMA Hurricane Shelters. (BirdRock is is the closest to Frigate Bay.) (see 'Links')
Be Prepared!
B.
Who knows how bad it will be?
And that's the thing about Hurricanes.
You never know...
So you've gotta Boy Scout up and "Be Prepared!"
St Kitts has been blessed since the 90s by not getting hit directly by a hurricane. For the past few years, hurricane after hurricane went north or south of the island. Hurricane Omar in October 2008 was the closest at about 150 miles away. Omar caused little wind damage but the storm surge rearranged the west coast of the island destroying some houses. Our apartment didn't even lose power. Lucky Island!
I added the link to the National Hurricane Center. (see 'Links')
Your schools have developed good instructions on "Hurricane Preparedness." Check them out and make your plan.
Shop for staples and supplies early because the stores run out.
Buy some matches for lighting your gas stove.
Ice your cooler or freezer.
Stock up on fresh water.
Charge your cell phone and laptop.
The Marriott is not a hurricane shelter. Sorry. Its closed today because of the storm.
I posted the link to the NEMA Hurricane Shelters. (BirdRock is is the closest to Frigate Bay.) (see 'Links')
Be Prepared!
B.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Medicines
I love St Kitts pharmacies.
I got two prescriptions filled in St Kitts for $25 US dollars less than what one-half the quantity of one of the same drugs had cost me two weeks before in the USA. And it took only 10 minutes from walking in the door with a written prescription(versus over 2 hours it took at the US drugstore.) And as a frequent shopper at that store, I received an additional 10% discount!
"Take your drugs with you" is the advice we were given when we moved to St Kitts. That's good advice for the first semester. Take your prescriptions too.
Always keep a two month supply of any medications you take. Supplies can be slow to get to you.
Know the Brand-name, the generic name, and the UK and South American names for the medications you take. (Paracetamol = acetaminophen = Tylenol. It's called paracetamol on St Kitts.)
You will need a prescription from a Kittian Physician. The out-of-country won't work at St Kitts pharmacies.
But here's the deal, Pharmaceuticals can be very cheap on St Kitts! And you often can buy just one! Or any number you want! You make your choice. When I say cheap, I mean cheaper than in the States.
Not so for over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The brand-name preparations are about three times the US price. Generics or house brands are usually more affordable but still spendy. There are many brands and preparations that you have never heard of and what they are used for is confusing.
Some drugs just cannot be had from St Kitts pharmacies. That's when it gets interesting.
My wife used www.westcoastdrug.net for 2 years while here to get meds not available through the St Kitts pharmacies.. They are prompt and reliable. If a shipment is overdue they ship a new order directly. Their prices are better than island prices on some meds and they do carry a good selection of meds not just the basics.(and that's talking as a RN) I'd try there first.
A SK-based company that I checked out but haven't bought from is www.medicinesexpress.co.uk. Local phone is 869.469.7433.
And it can get even more complex, but I'll address that as needed.
Stay Well!
B.
I got two prescriptions filled in St Kitts for $25 US dollars less than what one-half the quantity of one of the same drugs had cost me two weeks before in the USA. And it took only 10 minutes from walking in the door with a written prescription(versus over 2 hours it took at the US drugstore.) And as a frequent shopper at that store, I received an additional 10% discount!
"Take your drugs with you" is the advice we were given when we moved to St Kitts. That's good advice for the first semester. Take your prescriptions too.
Always keep a two month supply of any medications you take. Supplies can be slow to get to you.
Know the Brand-name, the generic name, and the UK and South American names for the medications you take. (Paracetamol = acetaminophen = Tylenol. It's called paracetamol on St Kitts.)
You will need a prescription from a Kittian Physician. The out-of-country won't work at St Kitts pharmacies.
But here's the deal, Pharmaceuticals can be very cheap on St Kitts! And you often can buy just one! Or any number you want! You make your choice. When I say cheap, I mean cheaper than in the States.
Not so for over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The brand-name preparations are about three times the US price. Generics or house brands are usually more affordable but still spendy. There are many brands and preparations that you have never heard of and what they are used for is confusing.
Some drugs just cannot be had from St Kitts pharmacies. That's when it gets interesting.
My wife used www.westcoastdrug.net for 2 years while here to get meds not available through the St Kitts pharmacies.. They are prompt and reliable. If a shipment is overdue they ship a new order directly. Their prices are better than island prices on some meds and they do carry a good selection of meds not just the basics.(and that's talking as a RN) I'd try there first.
A SK-based company that I checked out but haven't bought from is www.medicinesexpress.co.uk. Local phone is 869.469.7433.
And it can get even more complex, but I'll address that as needed.
Stay Well!
B.
Congratulations
Congratulations, you've made it this far!
You are going to be a Doctor!
You've gotten into Veterinary school or Medical school. That alone shows that you are smart, tough, and driven.You have achieved more scholastically at this point than most people. Well Done!
So you chose to come to St Kitts for school.
A couple of years in a Tropical Paradise; Beach time, tall cold drinks with little umbrellas, and a Killer Tan!
How Wonderfuly Cool!
But that's not why you did it...
You are so clear in your vision and so dedicated to your dream that you have left your home, your friends, and your family. You have traded your life and everything you own for a couple suitcases of clothes, a laptop, and a few years of endless studying and unremitting stress. You've jumped into a great big sea and you expect a long hard swim.
That is Courageous.
Smart, Determined. Courageous.
You will be a Great Doctor!
B.
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